The University of Akron Athletics
Rifle Defeats Rose Hulman Institute of Technology in Season Finale
February 13 | Rifle
AKRON, Ohio – The University of Akron rifle team closed out its regular season with a pair of matches this past weekend, topping Rose Hulman Institite of Technology 4571-4457 on Sunday at its home range in Schrank Hall South, after losing on Saturday on the road at Ohio State, 4618-4552. The contest against RHIT also served as Senior Day for eight Zips.
Against RHIT in smallbore, Akron's John Hupp shot a career-high score of 577 out of 600 to lead the squad and capture the top gun honor in the discipline. Rounding out the top three for Akron, high-performing Victoria Brown kept the heat on with her 574 followed by David Brummond's 572.
"This is the kind of smallbore performance we need," Akron head coach Newt Engle said. "John earned this honor by showing steady and consistent improvement over the past few matches."
The star of the day for the Zips in air rifle was Nicole Dietrich. Dietrich started out her series in the high 90s and never looked back until the scoreboard lit up showing she had won the match with a career-high score of 588. She was not the only member of the squad to jump into the 580s as Zachary Szabo tied his career-best score of 581, placing him in second. Rounding out the top three, Rose Hulman's Allie Carlson took third with a 578.
Against Ohio State, the Buckeye's Lauren Alman took top gun in the smallbore division with a 577. Tied for the fourth slot with like 573s, was Zips Sarah Benjamin and Brummond. It was a career-best performance for Brummond.
"We had been showing steady improvement in smallbore, but fell a little flat," Engle said. "However, David did a good job putting it all together at a big match."
OSU swept the top three slots in air rifle, lead by Amanda Furr who posted an impressive 584. Leading the Zips in fourth place with her 578 was Chelsey Frink.
The Zips will participate in the NCAA qualifier meet at Ohio State on Feb. 18.
